Here is the exact message I get:

This version of this file is not compatible with the version of Windows you're running. Check your computer's system information to see whether you need an x86 (32-bit) or x86 64-bit) version of the program.

Hope you can help because I love this game.

That is the error that you get on 64-bit Windows when you try to run a 16-bit program. Try a VM.

What is a VM and how do I do it?

How do I install XP mode to my computer using Windows 7?

Virtual Machine. If you have Pro, you can just download XP Mode from Microsft. If you do not have pro, you can try Bochs, Virtual Box or VMPlayer, but you will also need a copy of an earlier version of Windows to install into them. XP Mode comes with XP already installed. For retro gamers, XP Mode is probably the best reason to get Win7 Pro over home.

I will try this and thanks. How do I download this from Microsoft. Please I am a dummy when it comes to doing something like this.

Carla, before you go that route, try one more thing. I've gotten that message on a couple of games, but when I did the actual installation in XP compatibility mode, they worked. Vampire Redemption was the one that worked for me last night after I got the same message.

Put the CD in the drive, but don't let it install from there. Go to Computer, then right click on the drive and select Open. Find the setup or .exe file and right click on it. Select Troubleshoot Compatibility. Let it run and then choose Recommended Settings. It will tell you to open the program first. So go ahead and click on the setup or .exe file and see if it will run. You can use the cool Snap feature in Win 7 to have both windows open side by side. If it will install in XP compatibility mode, you should be OK. If it won't, you will probably have to go the route Collector suggested.

Mom emailed my PC-savvy nephew yesterday telling him that I need a "stronger laptop" (Mom doesn't really know that much about computers. She only uses it to play solitaire, check something online (sometimes) and for email; she knows nothing about PC hardware, software, etc) and we're waiting for Tim to get back to us on that.

In case I get a laptop (because in my thread I was thinking about buying a desktop PC and a new netbook), but Mom and Tim might decide to get me a laptop instead b/c 1-to buy 2 computers would cost us that much more money, 2-Mom might not allow me to buy 2 computers in 1 month, 3-a new laptop would be like combining the desktop PC and a netbook into 1 computer, and that laptop has win 7 on it have anyone tried the

Thief series,
the Rhems,
CSI series,
Law & Order series,
MS Flight Stimulater X Deluxe,
the Auras (incl. Sacred Rings)

and other XP adventure games on Win 7 Home (which a lot of people might have, and I might get in this new laptop)?

Just want to be prepared in case.

EDIT - It's nice to know that TLJ, Dark Fall series, the Auras, Echo, RTMI, Secret Files 1 & 2, Syberia 1 & 2, MOS, Overclocked, Perry Rhodan, Amerzone, Barrow Hill, Black Mirror, Sinking Island (which I have in my XP collection) run ok in Win 7 64 bit.

Draclvr,
I did what you said and the game installed and plays. I only used the first disc (there are two) so I am wondering if it will make any difference to the game play?

Really appreciate yours and collectors help.

Dragon thanks also.

Now I will try this with Safecracker.

I am playing Myst Masterpiece Edition on my Windows 7 home premium. So far I have completed two worlds. Game is fairly stable with a few hangups. The main problem is no video from the blue and red books when pages are added.

I am so glad to hear that, Duststorm. I have had no luck at all with getting Myst Masterpiece Edition to play. It seems to install just fine, but when the game starts, there is no video. I have my old XP hard drive in this computer, so I need to boot up to that drive and install and see if I get the same result. In that case, my video card would be the culprit.

What video card do you have?

That sounds like a QuickTime version issue.

I am not sure that this is a legitimate example of Myst being played on Windows 7. Any place in the game where there should be video movement it does not occur. When I first tried to download the game it didn't seem to be sucessful. Later I was going to try again and when I clicked on install it put me to the opening page that gave the option to play, uninstall, and so forth.I chose play and the game opened.When I checked through the control panel the option to uninstall a game, Myst was there but it did not show any computer usage. I am wondering if somehow the game is playing right off the disk without being downloaded on the hard drive?? My Video card is Nvidia Geforce GTX 260M 1 GB

"Download" usually refers to getting a game off the Internet. So I thought you were referring to the downloadable version of the game that came from gog.com. If you install a game off a CD, please use the word "install" to avoid confusing people.

The CD version of Myst is over ten years old, and was made when hard drives were much smaller. The install folder is very small and the game plays mainly from the CD. That's normal.

Considering the age of the game, you should probably reduce your graphics acceleration. See if you have Nvidia Control Panel listed when you right-click the desktop. If you do, you may find acceleration settings in there. Also the version of QuickTime that came with the game may not work completely in Windows 7.

That helps... When you said download, I also assumed you had downloaded the game.

OK. I got it to install and run. I had to uninstall my current Quicktime. Installed the game in XP SP2 mode and installed the 4.1 (I think) version of Quicktime. I then went to the "play" icon in the Red Orb game folder and right clicked to select Troubleshoot Compatibility. The only compatibility mode that I got to work was Win 95. But I moved everywhere around the first area in the game. All the video played in the book etc. One glitch was when I moved the books to get to the elevator. The sound stuttered for about 15 seconds and then the game picked up again. I was able to use the elevator and come back down. When I moved the books again, the game stuttered and then recovered as before. I saved the compatibility settings so now when I restarted the game a few times, I didn't have to go through any of the other steps. I didn't make any changes to my GTX 260.

So, I've gotten the game to install and play, but I have to live with the older version of quicktime if I leave it on. I guess, if I were going to do a full playthrough, I could live with that and then uninstall the game and reinstall the new Quicktime again.

So, after some hoops to jump through, I would call it a somewhat qualified success. If you try it, Duststorm, let us know if this works for you too.

Back to my drywall taping!

Don't know if anyone else will have this problem or not but I tried my Sacred 2 on my Windows 7 64 bit and it installed fine and runs fine. However when I tried to patch it, my mouse froze on the opening scene. I could do nothing but uninstall and install the game again. I found no help on the Ascaron forums and it seems to play all right without any patches.